I’ve missed you guys so much!

I’ve been EXTREMELY busy with life’s demands. In the midst of all of that, I had to get our new necessory home ready for all of us!

Let me say that I am so appreciative to all of my day-ones for patiently waiting for the comeback. For some, my departure seemed abrupt (which means, you don’t follow the Instagram page LOL). For others, the blog just stopped for a month or three, but you’ve seen the few Instagram post. I’ve been working really hard on me to be better for everyone around me and that includes you. So, welcome home! To our new family members - we’re so happy to have you join the fun! The new website allows everything to be easily accessible for all to enjoy without the plethora of emails! You’ll still be able to enjoy blogs and more right here. Don’t worry, our Instagram page is still on and poppin’!

Let me tell you something about supply and demand. The initial launch in June 2021 started with me sending eighty emails to sending almost three hundred emails by October 2021. It was both exciting and overwhelming at the same time. What started off taking an hour to send the personalized emails, evolved into a three-hour endeavor to send all the personalized emails every Wednesday. Life’s daily demands were taking over and I was losing control.

With little to no sleep some nights to ensure everything was done, I sat down and really had to think about how to work smarter and not harder. Eureka, the idea of this website was born!

In a rush to get back to the blog to keep the momentum going, my anxiety hit an all-time high trying to maintain my day to day demands as a mom and wife, all of my kids’ many extracurricular activities, my full-time job, and the blog. I gave myself an unattainable deadline for the return, but I couldn’t mentally create quality content. I had to take a physical break from the blog to ensure that I was giving myself and all of life’s requirements the quality time and attention needed and deserved.

I read a post online the other day that read “Behind every strong person is a story that gave them no choice.” How true is that?! I was determined to get all of this done. I wanted to prove to myself that I could do this. Why, because its an introduction and foundation to the bigger vision from The Almighty. I prayed for this: my marriage, my children and their success, my job, my passion, and my purpose. I have to put the work in. Here I am - learning to thrive and grateful to my family and you! I think about the hiatus as renewing my vision for necessory. In this issue, I’ll share the renewed vision - so let’s get started!

We now have a new blog update format!

Blogs will no longer be weekly, nor will blogs be received via email. Going forward, you’ll be able to come to this website and read two new blogs each month. Still check us out on Instagram for polls, videos, memes, and “New Blog Alert” post, so make sure you follow there and check the website frequently.

THIS WEEK’S EYEWEAR:

Say hey to Baby Justine! I know, I know. Some of you are shocked (and maybe even upset) that Justine hit the reset button but let me explain. She needed a renewing hiatus as well. On the last blog, Justine spoke briefly about getting trims regularly. She is dramatic and demanding, hence our many morning fights. As tall and as beautiful as she was, she’s just as beautiful and healthier and will grow back better than ever. Don’t tell her, but I’m enjoying the ease of the wash-n-go with her being this short. We’ll see how we feel in a few months if we decide to let her grow back or keep her low.

Perusing eyewear websites is a part of my daily winddown. Sometimes I buy the eyewear I like; sometimes I add it to my wish list. When I first saw “Xacharia” on www.wherelight.com, I instantly added it to my cart. I bought these frames because of the shape, but mostly the color. I noticed that I have recently bought so many gold-accented frames, but not silver-accented frames. I thought the frames were silver-accented, but quickly learned upon arrival that it’s white. No biggie. Depending on what I’m wearing, it looks “silver” and I’m here for it.

Here, I paired Baby Justine and “Xacharia” with a simple grey turtleneck (by far turtlenecks are my winter favorite), denim jeans, and booties. With this southern weather being so up and down (it was in the 70’s Christmas Day), a puffer vest (another winter favorite) is ideal with this outfit. For accessories, I paired my extra-large hoop earrings and Alex and Ani necklace for layers.

All About Xacharia:

That 9-5: Man, what?! I think I wore these every day the first week I received them! So yeah, these are office ready!

Girl’s Day Out: Absolutely!

BAE Night: Often!

Loungin’: I have, but I don’t prefer it because of the arms.

Overall, I give these frames a 6 out of 5! I know that’s impossible, but I absolutely adore these frames. The fit is amazing!

Man, it feels so good to be back! I want to thank you again for your patience and for rocking with necessory. I promise great content and amazing things are on the horizon. Enjoy the ride!

This issue is dedicated to a devoted necessory fan & family member whose untimely death over the holidays rocked me to my core. I love you Niecy and like always thank you for ALWAYS believing in me, encouraging me daily, and having the perfect joke to make my day better. From childhood to adulthood, you played a major role in my life. I know you would've been so proud to read this blog since you fussed that I hadn’t sent you an email since October. I find solace in knowing we truly loved each other! Thanks for being unapologetically you! You’ll truly be missed! My many condolences and prayers to her family and friends.

Until later and daily on Instagram @_necessory_

I hope you’re still wearing your mask and stay safe!

-Keirston